Our Archives: Neutering

For decades, vets have been recommending that pet owners get their animals spayed or castrated. It’s a common topic brought up the first time we meet your new puppy or kitten. No doubt you are all familiar with the reasons why neutering is important; preventing pet overpopulation, unwanted pregnancies and certain diseases, among other benefits. There may of course be certain reasons why you choose not to get your pet neutered, which is fine.

However, today’s article will focus on owners who wish to get their pet neutered, but aren’t convinced by vets recommending a traditional surgery. With anywhere from 30-50% or more of UK dogs not being neutered, and probably even more cats, there are clearly a lot of you out there who might consider other options, such as a neutering implant, which is our topic for today.

False pregnancy is most commonly seen in the female dog (although cats may rarely be affected). Hormone changes after a ‘season’ or heat convince her and her body that she is pregnant. It is sometimes called phantom pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. The hormone changes that cause false pregnancy are normal in the dog but sometimes the symptoms get out of hand and are distressing for the dog and her owners. 

A surprising question……. 

Since the 1970’s vets have advocated neutering for prevention of cancer in dogs and cats. There is evidence for a reduction in breast cancer in neutered female dogs⁽¹⁾ and cats ⁽²⁾. Surgical neutering also eliminates the risk of testicular or ovarian cancer. 

When talking about neutering, vets often list a series of diseases that neutering can help prevent. Prostate disease is often near the top of that list - but is it true? What are the impacts of neutering on prostate disease in dogs? Our vet blogger Sian has been digging into the science in this, the first of our "Neutering Week" posts.

The COVID lockdown brought ‘emergency-only’ appointments for veterinary practices across the UK. For the first 8 weeks, your pet would only be given an appointment if a delay in being seen would severely affect their health or welfare. Vaccinations were put on hold; neutering appointments were cancelled… But the lockdown is lifting - so can your vets spay your pets?